Dutch PM suggests Netanyahu could avoid arrest despite ICC warrant

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
29 Nov 2024 21:54

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof's comments appear to oppose the stance taken by Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, who recently told parliament that the Netherlands fully cooperates with the ICC.

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Netherland's Prime Minister Dick Schoof, center, speaks with journalists during an EU Summit at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, November 8, 2024. (AP)

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof suggested on Friday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could potentially visit the Netherlands without being arrested, despite the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing an arrest warrant against him for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Schoof's comments appear to oppose the stance taken by Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, who recently told parliament that the Netherlands fully cooperates with the ICC and would act on arrest warrants for individuals on Dutch soil.

However, Schoof indicated that exceptions could exist under international law, depending on the purpose of Netanyahu's visit.

"We have obligations that come from the treaty on which the ICC is based, and we comply with them," Schoof said during a news conference. "In light of that, we would have to see how we act when the Prime Minister of Israel were to come to the Netherlands. There are possible scenarios, also within international law, in which he would be able to come to the Netherlands without being arrested."

Schoof did not specify the circumstances, but previously suggested that Netanyahu might visit an international organization in the Netherlands, such as the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), without being detained.

ICC Warrants and International Responses

The ICC, headquartered in The Hague, issued arrest warrants last week for Netanyahu and his former Security Chief Yoav Gallant for crimes against humanity.

The warrants have divided international opinion. France has argued that Netanyahu enjoys immunity from the ICC as a sitting head of government, while Italy has stated that arresting Netanyahu while he remains in office is not feasible.

The UK has not expressed whether or not it would arrest Netanyahu if he visited.

Netanyahu has sought to challenge the ICC's jurisdiction by formally notifying the court of "Israel’s" intent to appeal. However, the ICC has already stated that its decisions are final and beyond appeal, leaving Netanyahu’s maneuver as little more than a performative deflection aimed at maintaining domestic and international support.